A Mama's Work is Never Done...

To say I have a lot going on right not is a complete understatement! A lot of the stuff going on is personal and I haven't quite decided how much I'm going to share.
We had a very relaxing weekend and it was exactly what the family needed. On the flip side not much housework got done...thus I have a lot of work to do and this is going to be a busy week.
I really think I'm going to create a consistent cleaning schedule because I really feel like my work is never done. I would like to feel some accomplishment with my cleaning. I think it will be really helpful. Do you have any cleaning schedules that you like to stick to?

Postpartum after #2, Things That Have Changed & What Keeps Me Going

Before I even start this post, I have the feeling that I'm going to ramble a bit.

Now three months into this crazy journey of having two under two I feel like I have some funny things that I can share and how my life especially has changed drastically. Please don't take this out of context, but life does change and I'm not complaining. I love being a mommy.

The first thing that has changed is my blogging posts don't get finished in one day. A lot of times a draft is save and it will take me two or more days to finish. I have also been stumped a lot as to what I should be writing about. I have gotten some feedback, but what are some things you would like me to cover. I'm no expert, but I have experience. That counts...right???

Showers are a luxury. I decided early on that the one thing I would do every day is get dressed and look presentable. I didn't want to lounge around all day just because I was staying at home. Now the question is looking presentable and taking a shower every day. ha. I found out early on showering at night was the easiest option because I was guaranteed to get a shower in and I didn't have to be flustered the next day if I hadn't got the chance to take a quick shower. Now don't go thinking that I'm the smelly kid or anything. I don't go weeks on end without bathing just because I'm so busy, but the transition from one to two and getting a little me time is difficult.
Something that goes along with the showering is my hair loss. I should be bald by now at the rate I'm going. Last time and this time around 3 months or so my hormones level out and hello hair shed! I feel like it's coming out in clumps and clumps. Somehow I have a full head of hair, but at the rate I'm going it's going to be gone in no time. Anyone else experience hair loss postpartum. It's one thing that I kinda forgot about and then bam it's there to remind me that it's all part of having a baby. I gave Adam fair warning this time when I noticed it happening, that the shower drain might be plugged and that there might be more hair on random things.

Time to exercise...does such a thing exist?? I had drastic weight loss after having Allen. I can attribute that to breastfeeding and going back to work 7.5 weeks after having him. I don't know if I ever got to fully see my prebaby weight body after having Allen because when Allen was 9 months, I was pregnant again. I know when I was pregnant with Abram I didn't gain nearly as much weight, probably because my body was holding onto a bit from Allen. Maybe I'm being too harsh on myself this time around, but I feel like I'm not losing as much as I did the first time around. I can definitely tell you that my body is not the same as it was prior to having babies and I'm slowly becoming more and more okay with that. And yes the question you're probably all thinking are you fitting into pre-pregnancy clothes. Yes I am. Not bold enough to try it all on just yet, but probably more than 75% of my pre-pregnancy clothes fit. Yes I am taking that as a victory now just to get slimmer and more toned. When in the day am I supposed to work out? And I'm not trying to come up with excuses by any means, and I'm not running out and joining a gym because I feel like that would be money wasted. On nice days like today I make sure to take the boys on a walk, and pushing them in a double stroller is not easy! Adam and I have also been going on bike rides. Which is another added benefit of warmer weather. My only concern is that I'm not doing enough. I really need to sit down and look at my schedule for the day and see where free time happens. Then what do I do with that free time? What are some easy workouts I can do with little time? Maybe an upcoming post will be about the physical activity that I am able to do and where it fits into the crazy schedule of our day.

Shopping. Oy have things changed. Yesterday I think I had one of the most stressful trips to Target ever! Allen decided screaming would be a good option and Abram protested his infant carrier. Good choice boys. I can say without a doubt that shopping carts AREN'T big enough. I have to put Abram and his carrier in the big part of the cart taking up most of it eliminating most of the room for me to put items and Allen in the cart seat. Yup very little room for any items. Shopping with Adam is a breeze. We put Abram in his travel system and Allen in the cart and we have the whole bottom of the cart empty. This is what we do when we do our weekly shopping at Woodman's. It works out perfectly.

After proofreading this things seem a little crazy. What has been getting me through has been my rock of a husband who has been nothing but supportive and helps whenever needed. My family who has been nothing but helpful and loving towards the boys. The last three things that have helped me greatly is my bible/prayer and this book. These three things together have brought a sense of peace and calm to me in the greatest of storm with my two littles. Asking for patience and wisdom in my prayers has been so helpful. Also learning about what things boys will need the most and how I can pray for that has been amazing. Boys are a different breed that is for sure and the saying 'boys will be boys' I'm starting to understand more and more.

I can't leave you without some cuteness from the two littles who I live for each and every day.

The Must-Haves for Outings With Two Under Two

For every mommy I'm sure there are things that you would never leave the house without, so some of the things that I list or don't list may be relatable to you. I'm just going with what have been the MUST-HAVE items that have worked for us.

1. The most important thing that makes outings possible is our double stroller. The one we use is Chicco brand because our orignial travel system that we got is Chicco brand and the infant carrier just snaps right in. This stroller is a beast! I'm not going to lie. At first I thought it was more of a pain in the butt than helpful, but after taking the boys out in it a couple of times it's a LIFESAVER!
2. Extra clothes. Now when your child has a blowout your go to may be a whole new outfit. I'm busy and quick and easy is my way to go. My extra change of clothes for the boys is always jammies. I figure if they have to get changed why not be comfy the rest of the time. Heck if I could run around in footie jammies I would.
3. Diapers and wipes. This is a no brainer! I feel like I'm packing half our diaper stash but we all know how newborns can be and how easily they can blowout or how often they need those cute little booties changed.
4. The cow print bag would be a wet bag. This is where all the soiled items go, wheter it be poopy clothes, wet bibs, or drooly burp cloths. The mess stays contained and doesn't get all over the inside of my diaper bag.
5. Sophie. Oh Sophie. I honestly don't know what I would do without you. Yes this crazy little giraffe can be expensive, but she has been great for Allen when he is cutting teeth. She is always nearby.
6. Nursing cover. I'm currently breastfeeding Abram and if I have to nurse in public this is a great cover. It's huge and covers the ta-tas without a sneak peek showing.
7. Burp cloths. I have found that the best burp cloths by far are actually prefolds meant to be cloth diapers. So absorbant and work really well for cleaning up any sort of mess.
8. Nuby sippy cups. These fit perfectly into any one of my diaper bags and Allen loves them. No need to change something that he likes.

These have currently been the must haves in our household when making an outing. These are also the essentials that I always take with me when I wander out on my own with the boys. I'm sure our go to items is bound to change but this is what makes outings a little less stressful for us.

First Outing With the Boys by Myself

Abram has super sensitive skin. A lot more sensitive than Allen. Well on Thursday I noticed a rash forming and it looked more than just baby acne. Allen didn't have rashes when he was little. So my mind starts running through the options of what it could be. I immediately texted my sister-in-law who is a pharmacist and started asking questions. She stopped by that evening and gave me a couple options of what it might be. I was more calm after talking to her and just kept an eye on it. On Monday the rash seemed to be going away, and then it seemed to come back with a vengeance. I called and made a doctor's appointment for the following morning. Then I started to slightly freak out. One Abram has a rash and I don't know where it's coming from and two the appointment was in the early morning which meant I would be taking both boys out by myself! I got up early and started to prepare for D-day. I was able to make it out of the house with both boys and make it to the office early! I then went into mommy mode and played it cool. I pulled out the double stroller which is an absolute life saver!! Got the boys strapped in and away we went. I told the nurse what had been going on and we then proceeded to get Abram all checked in. Well the little stinker decided it would be a great time to have a blowout. No worries I was prepared. I usually always have one extra outfit for each of the boys on hand. Changed and unhappy Abram was weighed and he comes in at 9 lbs 10oz. Way to go buddy. Shortly after the doctor comes in and tells me that it's a heat rash and just dry, irritated skin. Way to go Aubrey for thinking that your child has something awful. I honestly felt pretty silly, but on the other hand I now know what it looks like and I can be less freaked out. Made it home and our normal routine continued. I have to admit that getting the boys out by myself took some extra work, but nothing out of the ordinary. It takes a lot of work in general to look after my two under two. I'm pretty proud at how smoothly the day had gone.
Abram seems un-phased by his heat rash that comes and goes. I'm extremely happy with his weight gain. He's such a good eater and overall a good baby. Allen is falling so well into the big brother role and is amazing with Abram. God has truly blessed our family.

Breastfeeding Ain't For the Faint of Heart

I got 6 wonderful months of breastfeeding with Allen. Due to working full time and an inconsistent schedule allowed to breastfeed him my supply ran dry. He was on formula for 6 months and turned out just fine. This time around I am a stay at home mommy and started thinking about what would be different this time around. I would like to accomplish my goal and breastfeed for a full year. Things thus far look like this could happen, but could things change I'm sure they might. I guess I thought that the second time around in my breastfeeding journey that things would go super smooth. I've done this once, things should be fine. Ha when they say that every pregnancy is different, they mean it and every baby is different too.
With Allen I had to use a shield, and before you put your judgement in I had to use one due to having somewhat flat nipples. This helped with his latch greatly and he self weaned himself from the shield within a couple months. Was the shield a pain in the butt, you better believe it. I feel like there are a lot of people out there that are anti-shield and I can't really understand why. What's the negative to using one?? Well I found some negatives when using one with Abram.
Again when we were in the hospital I really struggled getting Abram to latch. I was the first one to jump at having a lactation consultant come and help. Of course the second she walked in he would latch and she would say we were doing great. Thanks Abram. I did go on to tell her that I was having problems with him latching. She suggested that I could borrow a hand pump to help pull the nipple out for him to get a better latch, or she said that since I had used a shield before that I could get one to see if it might help. That night after Abram had really worked himself up I requested a shield and he latched.
Now what negatives did I find? Well I didn't find them until we went home and within a few days of being home it seemed as if Abram would choke every time he would nurse. That will put a mommy on high alert when the best thing for your child is to nurse and now all of the sudden he's choking and in my gut I feel like things are going well. The next day I wrote off the shield. I had figured in out that the excess breastmilk was sitting in the shield and when Abram wasn't sucking the milk was still running down his throat causing him to choke. Since about day 2 or 3 we haven't used the shield and it takes a bit for him to latch, but we get a good solid latch and away he goes.
I got a little confirmation that breastfeeding is going well at Abram's 2 week checkup where he weighed in at 7 lbs 7oz. The doctor was impressed. He has surprassed his birthweight and I was told to keep up the good work.
Abram is a different eater than Allen and that took me for a loop. I'm pretty good about catching onto his hunger signs way before he's waking himself up, but once I get him in a good position to nurse he gets overexcited searching for the breast that I have to slow him down. He also seems like the baby that wants to do it on his own, which seems insane since yes he is only 12 days old. When I'm trying to calm him down he sometimes stiffens and restrains his neck and makes it difficult for me to help him. Lastly, he's a lazy eater. When he gets a somewhat full belly the boy is knocked out! And when I mean knocked out I mean it. The only thing that Adam and I have found that works to wake this boy up is cold. So we have on mulitple occassions put him down on our cold bedsheets as a method to wake him up so he can get a full feed in so he can get some good sleep. He's an awesome sleeper which I'm not complaining about one bit. Which means I have been pumping as well and that is going way better than what I thought it would. My turnout from pumping has been way more than what I thought I would get and slowly but surely I will have a full freezer and Daddy will be able to help feed.
Adam has been the greatest support system along with the mama's that I have been questioning constantly. I couldn't ask for better friends and a better husband to help me along this journey because it definitely isn't easy, but it's something I want to do for Abram. A really good friend of mine suggested the book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding which is a book I had never heard of. It is by the La Leche League which I have heard some things about them. I will be looking more into this. They also have a facebook page which could be very helpful. I'm going to be looking more into this and see if I can grab any helpful tips from it. I'm sure things are going to come up that I haven't experienced and things will get easier. I have had frustration, crying moments, and fed through exhaustion, but in the end I'm still breastfeeding and I'm happy that I'm continuing.

We made it through Day 1 and 2

Yep, you read that right. The boys are still breathing and I'm not in the corner sucking my thumb. And by I mean we made it, I mean day 1 and 2 of stay-at-home-mommy by myself with a newborn and a toddler and a zoo and everything went swimmingly!
Abram is trying to still get on a consistent schedule and I need to keep reminding myself that he isn't even 10 days old. I think since I'm feeling so great I tend to forget the little things and I know that giving him some time to get into a groove is all it's going to take. A breastfeeding post is going to be soon to follow. To all my friends that I have been prying your brain apart with all my questions, I apologize, and thank you so much for being supportive and responding. All you ladies know who you are.
Today I was able to get all of our laundry done. I'm pretty proud of this accomplishment because it just reminds me that yes, things have drastically changed, but I am able to still maintain somewhat of a normal schedule like before.
Again, Allen is falling into the big brother role so well. He is such a helper, and has turned into a snuggler again which mommy is not complaining about one bit.
On a complete side note I am not one to complain about the cold, but geesh I have a toddler tornado who is going stir crazy thanks to being stuck inside. The highlight of some of his days is getting out of the house to run a quick errand with me. The super cold weather that came in this week has kept up most definitely stuck inside until Adam comes home. I figure with mommy and daddy we can get the babies in and out more quickly than if it were just me by myself. So basically come on spring! I can't wait to see how the rest of the week plays out, but thus far it has been great.

What's in Your Diaper Bag, Chelsey?

Here is my first feature that the bestie and I came up with. After posting about my own diaper bag I have to feature Chelsey next of course. That's just how it works. So here are her answers to the questions.

Your name: Chelsey Felda
Blog: Lifes Little Souvenirs
Child/ren name and age: 1 daughter,  Ava, 8 months old

1.  What bag do you use? Do you love it/hate it?

I mostly use my Thirty-One Retro Metro Tote in Party Punch, but occasionally switch to my Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack.
I love both of my bags, but have found myself using the tote more often as Ava gets older and requires more (I.E. food and more toys to keep her entertained while away) I love that the PPB has a detachable changing pad so I am able to use it with the tote as well. Oh, and the prints are ADORABLE on both bags.

2. The goods...what's inside your bag?

1. Face wipes because let's face it, babies are messy. ;)

2. A pen, Wet Ones, and Pacifier/Toy Cleaning Wipes: I keep a pen in the bag because I always need one when I don't have one in it, the Wet Ones are for those dirty high chairs and carts, and the wipes are pretty much self explanatory. 

3. Baby food, travel spoon, formula/formula dispenser, baby juice, and my Thirty-One thermal pouch to keep it all in.

4. Baby Mum Mum's, a granola bar for Mommy (or Daddy!), spare/emergency formula, and baby snacks (teether biscuits and puffs).

5. Wet bag and cloth diapers.

6. Bottles and a sippy cup. 

7. Teether toys!! I would DIE without these!!

8. Wipes holder with cloth wipes inside, diaper creams, and hand sanitizer.

9. Mommy's wristlet, Kleenex, and chap stick: the Kleenex because it is allergy season and the chap stick because Brian is always asking me for some. 

10. Pacifiers (always carry a spare!).

11. The "Med" Bag: in it we have things like gas drops, Tylenol, baby chap stick, teething gel, amber beads, etc. 

12. A big and a burp cloth because Ava always seems to spit up when we don't have them.

13. Spare clothes in their own wet bag.

14. Some crazy light up spinner Cinderella toy...not sure why that is in there...

3.What must you always, always, always have in your bag?

What must I always have in my bag?? That is a tough one since without one thing we almost always need it; which is why I carry so much! I would have to say that right now the one thing I must ALWAYS have in the bag is a pacifier and the wet bag...without the pacifier I can't distract her from her hunger in the even that I forgot the bottle, formula, or BOTH; which has been done before. And without the wet bag, well, let's just say we have one STINKY diaper bag without it.

4. What's the most random item in your bag?

The most random thing in my bag is definitely that Cinderella toy...I think I stuffed it in her bag when we were traveling to Georgia a few weekends ago...not sure why...

5. Dirty Secret...

My dirty secret is that I am guilty of having forgotten to take the dirty diapers out of the wet bag...oopsy! I should also swap out the spare clothes since I am almost positive they are from two months ago...guess that means we are lucky for not ever needing them! Now watch, we will need them and the clothes will be waaaaaaay too small! Ha! 

Diaper Bag Series

My best friend and I came up with the idea to feature some of our friends that are mommas and what they have in their diaper bag. To start the series off I figured I could give you a look into what in my diaper bag and a look at the questions I will be asking my friends.

What is in your diaper bag?

Take a photo of your diaper bag and what's inside your bag

Name:
Blog:
Child(ren) name and age:

1. What bag do you use? Do you love it/hate it?
2. The goods...what's inside your bag?
3. What must you always, always, always have in your bag?
4. What's the most random item in your diaper bag?
5. Dirty secret...



Here's my answers

Aubrey 

Allen who is 6 months old

1. Vera Bradley's Make A Change Baby Bag in Baroque print and I LOVE LOVE LOVE my diaper bag. I love that a diaper pad is included with my bag and it's detachable

2. Diapers, wipes, creams, change of clothes, wetbag, bib, bottle(s), blanket, monkey toy, paci, hand sanitizer, diaper pad, face wipes, and my wristlet 

3. Diapers and a change of clothes. I feel like Allen has blowouts like it's his dayjob

4. A Bible for church on Sundays

5. I have forgotten a full bottle of formula a time or two and forgot that it was in my diaper bag for a couple days. Ooopsie 

Momma Time

Ok so seriously where does the time in the day go? I am a full time working mommy and when I get home I feel like there is no time left in the day and of course my blog is the last thing on my mind. It's been almost a month since my last post and of course I feel like I could write a novel about all the baby and mommy things that have been going on. Tomorrow is Allen and mommy day so hopefully while boogie butt is sleeping I can get some more updates in.